MLB 2011 Preview: Full Philadelphia Phillies Roster Breakdown, Predictions | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Structuring Charlie Manuel's lineup is going to be an interesting process. On one hand, we have traditional baseball stats that tell us that if arranged in a certain order, the Phillies' offense could be even more productive than it has in years past.

However, using history and the naked eye alone, Manuel has assembled his lineup in a manner that has the team feeling comfortable, and more importantly, has produced results.

So while this could spark a bit of a debate, I think it's imperative to take a realistic look at the lineup, and not order it the way we see fit, but the way that Manuel thinks it will be most productive. Take a look.

1.) Jimmy Rollins - SS - (S)

2.) Placido Polanco - 3B - (R)

3.) Chase Utley - 2B - (L)

4.) Ryan Howard - 1B - (L)

5.) Raul Ibanez - LF - (L)

6.) Shane Victorino - CF - (S)

7.) Domonic Brown - RF - (L)

8.) Carlos Ruiz - C - (R)

9.) Pitcher

The first thing you notice about the Phillies' lineup is that it is extremely left-handed, and hitting Ibanez fifth is a risky decision. However, Manuel's commitment to Rollins in the leadoff spot makes assembling his order increasingly more difficult.

While the switch-hitting Victorino would break up the lefties nicely, and Manuel could choose to do so against tough left-handed starters, Ibanez is the more typical five-hole hitter, and Victorino's speed plays better at the bottom of the order.

Of course, if Francisco wins the starting job, that would add another right-handed bat to the order and create some balance.

There is a lot of pressure riding on this offense. While most of the season's expectations are on the shoulders of this incredible pitching staff, players like Rollins, Utley and Howard know that in order to win games, you need to be able to score runs.

Is this the type of team that can hang crooked numbers every game? Yes. Is that a realistic expectation? Not really. What makes this offense so scary is that, when healthy, they have hitters that fit perfectly into their order, and they can manufacture the runs it takes to win ballgames.

Doing a quick recap, I don't think the offense is going to be a problem. I can see Utley, Howard and Victorino making the All-Star team with relative ease, while Rollins has an average season and Ruiz continues to fly under the radar, and is passed on for flashier catchers like Yadier Molina and Brian McCann.

The team is structured to win 100 games with relative ease, and the hardest part of the season should be living up to the fans' expectations. If the starting core is not healthy, they have bench players ready and willing to step in, including Brian Schneider (L), Ben Francisco (R), Ross Gload (L), Wilson Valdez (R), John Mayberry Jr. (R), and potentially, Michael Martinez (S).

On the other side of the ball, this team is as good as they come defensively. The Phillies will feature three Gold Glove winners in Victorino, Polanco and Rollins, as well as one of the game's top defensive catchers in Ruiz.

Howard and Ibanez are capable defenders, and Brown has the tools to be an above-average defender with a strong arm. Defensively, they certainly won't be a liability, and only make their pitching better.